A team at the University of Birmingham have been undertaking a longitudinal study investigating the experiences of young people with vision impairment (VI) as they make the transition from school to various new settings, including higher education. You can find out more about the research at: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/education/research/victar/research/longitudinal-transitions-study/index.aspx.

An invitation to participate has been extended to QTVIs by the University of Birmingham.

Through this research, we have collected stories from many young people with VI about their experiences of studying a range of subjects at universities across the country. We have taken the information they have shared with us to develop a set of guidance resources to help these young people prepare in the best possible way for what can be a challenging, yet rewarding transition into higher education. We also believe that these resources will be helpful for QTVIs providing specialist guidance to students with VI as they go through the application and transition process for higher education.

As a QTVI who is working alongside young people with VI, we would very much like you to help us pilot these resources as part of our ‘University Vision’ project. We would like you to help us evaluate how helpful they are, and also to identify how these resources can be improved to help others in the future.

If you agree to take part in this pilot study you will be asked to read the guidance resource which has been developed to help guide you as you work alongside young people with vision impairment who are applying for HE. We would then like you to complete a short evaluation questionnaire to reflect upon this experience.

To take part in this pilot study, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a recruitment pack, or access it online at: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/education/research/victar/research/longitudinal-transitions-study/university-vision/consent-forms.aspx

We would also like to recruit young people with VI to pilot the resource. If you have any students who may be interested in taking part, they can also find a recruitment pack by using the web address above or a can request a recruitment pack in the post prepared in their preferred format from Rachel Hewett at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0121 414 4394.